Just waking up in America is a chore. We live in a world that bombards us with endless problems. A government, institutions, corporations, and its people all working against us from a place of brokenness. I don’t know how it got this way; but the broken systems appear to be shattered beyond repair.

Each new day comes with its own set of problems. Life isn’t meant to be easy, but depending on how we show up we can make all the difference. Instead of focusing on the brokenness of our society I choose to work on myself.

Do you know that we may not be able to fix the systems, but at least we can fix ourselves?

The System

Its much less accusatory to blame the system than a person or group, because most problems stem from something greater than an individual. It is the person, however, that can choose to make life easier or harder for us.

A system per Oxford Dictionary is a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network.

Our daily lives are dependent on systems working without disruption. Systems can be simple or complex and categorized by origin: the natural systems, manmade systems, and personal/routine systems.

1. The Morning Routine
2. The Dishwasher
3. The Corporations
4. The Institutions
5. The Computer/Internet
6. The Human Body

Do you know that depending how we start our day, one disruption can lead into the next?

Example 1 – The Morning Routine

The start of each day sets the tone for the day. Consistency with incorporating productive and positive actions will lead to a more successful day. No matter how much time is allowed we can develop good habits that function together for a healthy morning routine.

Where my husband is intent with starting his day with news or work, I try to reference a scripture verse, say a prayer, and avoid anything that is triggering. Realistically, I don’t always have leisurely mornings but do try and steal a moment to start my day in calm. I have noticed a direct correlation between a rushed morning and a chaotic day.

And when living in an already chaotic world it’s best to start your day on the right foot to deal with all of the broken systems from a strong foundation.

What happens when a system breaks?

Example 2 – The Dishwasher

Todays busy world has amenities to make life easier. Appliances to ease cooking and cleanup are comprised of parts that function together to get the job done. Everything is great until the system breaks and stops working.

In the past year I remodeled my kitchen and included brand-new appliances. With not more than five months of use my dishwasher decided to malfunction. A sensor used to determine water intake failed. The result I have to wash my dishes by hand.

The dishwasher isn’t to blame for its malfunction but the manufacturer who has designed special water saving features engineered a bad product.

Who is accountable?

Example 3 – The Corporations

During my parents generation dishwashers lasted the lifetime of a home. Today appliances are made disposable, as if throwing the barely used machine in a landfill is a better solution. In an effort to conserve energy they engineer parts that fail within a year of use. IMHO I think its more about making money.

As a consumer I called the appliance store where I purchased my appliances. I was forwarded to the service department, where the mailbox was full! After contacting an outside repair man I learned the truth behind appliances. He claimed what I thought to be true, dishwashers like all appliances are not made to last but to perpetuate the system that profits off of the consumer.

I can choose to be disgruntled or grateful. I’m grateful to have a dishwasher and not have to wash my dishes by hand.

Who is really to blame?

Example 4 – The Institutions

Corporations are forced to follow guidelines provided by The Department of Energy in an effort to conserve energy. While the intent might be good, this leads to products that are not efficient for use. In the end it is the consumer’s wallet and the environment that pays.

In todays world its par the course to have a corporation not answer a consumers phone call. Business in America is swiftly changing and doesn’t appear to be customer focused. Not just the corporations, but banks and government agencies no longer place the people first.

Do you know to be in business or a part of the institution you need to have patience?

Example – PHEAA

The PHEAA, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, had a botched rollout that has been putting many college students and university administration in a tailspin, Fall of 2024 to present day.

As the problems piled up, PHEAA struggled to communicate with students and schools about the delays. Meanwhile, financial aid administrators grappled with an unfamiliar system that was riddled with glitches, some of which still had not been resolved by March.

Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA, April 17, 2025

The problem compounds when the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, entered into a stalemate with the Senate, the result holding earned National Guard awards and financial aid payment, not distributing to the schools to reimburse for tuition.

Not only has the State Government not communicated with the college financial aid offices, but the college financial aid offices have not clearly communicated the problem with the students. Instead, my daughter, like others have been ignored, with no clear explanation of the problem or a solution.

Where do we find the truth?

Example 5 – The Computer/Internet

Sometimes the only way to get to the bottom of a problem is to Google it. Last Spring that is precisely what I did, after my daughter exhausted all avenues with the University to find why she had not received her tuition reimbursements. Even then the stories get buried, but with a thorough search the information is available.

However, we can’t rely on computers and the internet to provide information or make life easier. Computer systems are complex and the internet can be easily compromised. Although these are tools, they are capable of causing more harm than good.

Everything should be used as a learning experience. Education doesn’t stop with school but we continue to learn everyday through the struggles we encounter in life. Working through the problems with good coping skills and patience helps build fortitude for life.

How do these problems help us?

Example 4 – More Institutions

We build grit and determination when we choose to deal with our everyday struggles. And just waking up every morning we need to anticipate struggles. The institutions do not have the answers for our mental health.

Do you think Government is the answer to your struggles?

Example – Government and Banking

We don’t have to look far to see how the systems got this way, botched rollouts and lack of communication, just look at who sets the standards. A system of government that is need of repair. After all external sources, like the government, sets the standard of what’s permitted.

Not all government is bad, because they employ security systems to protect the consumer. We should be grateful to live in a country that has the role of law. With ever changing technology we need constant security improvements.

All of the preparations that students attain at the universities, along with each trial will prepare them for doing business in America. Even though it feels at times like the banking industry and government is working against us, we need to remain grateful to live in a country that cares.

What do broken systems lead to?

Broken People

Broken systems manifests into angry, disgruntled people. People acting out of their bitterness and resentments. People don’t know how to emotionally respond to their frustrations. It’s easier to remain angry, than to seek understanding and get to the roots of the problems.

Have you had a disgruntled worker on the other end of the phone call when trying to fix a problem?

Example 6 – The Human Body

We humans and our brains are the most complex system. Brain health leads to our emotional responses and impacts the health of the rest of our bodies. The solution is to find the healing we each need to deal with our struggles.

Slowly, all of these daily struggles we face chip away at bodily system. We put our health at risk when we don’t have the proper coping skills. And it’s not just the individual who is impacted, but everyone we come in contact with.

Example – The Worker

A person who is in active addiction or even a dry drunk is more likely to be a problem employee or business owner. They are more likely to work from a resentful, bitter mindset. The result might be to take advantage of a customer and lead to unethical business practices.

They may not be the best team player and disrupt an already fragile system. It takes consistency and reliability for a system to function well. One bad apple is all it takes to disrupt the apple cart.

Example – The Family

The worst thing we can do as parents is bring our problems home with us. When people don’t have coping, the family unit is impacted. At least one spouse should have coping skills to maintain a household. It’s up to each of us to find the solution that works for us individually.

Coping skills are learned behaviors that individuals develop and use to manage stressful emotions. It’s up to us as parents to model healthy coping to our kids. The Child Mind Institute offers practices to manage stressful situations.

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At the age of fifty, after I raised my daughters, is when I discovered healthy coping skills. Up until that point I struggled each day with our broken systems. The result a woman who broke, finding my coping through alcohol. Alcohol is a short-term approach that only leads to more brokenness.

What I lacked was a strong, spiritual foundation. Once I called out to God, from a place of desperation, positive change started to take place. The last several years my life have gotten much easier and peaceful by building a relationship with Christ.

How do we fix the problem?

Recovery Is the Solution

We live in a world, not just a country, that is in need of healing. Our daily struggles don’t just go away without finding a solution that works. And unhealthy, unhealed people are like a plague, disrupting our already fragile systems.

America and each country is a system within itself, made up of people. Broken people are operating out of pain. And we know hurt people hurt people. That is why healing is imperative, because without healing the cycle of brokenness perpetuates itself.

We are a group of people each forced to work together and do life together. We all have unique experiences that contribute to our problems. It takes understanding and cooperation to function, when what we have are people intentional about causing disruption. Unhappy people working from a place of brokenness.

Do you know that through building a relationship with Christ anyone can find healing?

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 NLT